WWE star The Miz on whether his character has shifted to being a heel, discusses the movie "Christmas Bounty" and his win at WWE Survivor Series

The Rack radio with The Miz
Hosted by Lindsey Ward and Sir Rockin
Audio interview available at Wildtalkradio.com

His victory at Survivor Series: “It was a great victory; the only problem is at the end of that victory, I got slapped by Kofi. I was trying to make a good gesture in shaking his hand after the match and the guy reached out and slaps me. The thing is people have been saying that I’m the bad guy; that I wronged Kofi, but then I try and show good sportsmanship and what happens? He slaps me! But, at the end of the day, I won and that’s all that really matters.”

His new movie ‘Christmas Bounty’: “I know! It’s incredible. I’ve been so fortunate these days with WWE; you know, a kid coming from (MTV’s) ‘The Real World’. In reality, you’re supposed to just be a reality star and stay on that reality round, but coming into the WWE it has allowed me so many different portals to showcase my talents, I guess you could say. I mean, I got to do ‘Marine 3: Homefront’ which is out on DVD right now and now, tomorrow, November 26th on ABC Family, my new movie will premiere at 7:00 pm, ‘Christmas Bounty’ and I’m really excited for it because it’s a Christmas movie! I mean, I grew up watching Christmas movies, great Christmas movies like ‘Christmas Vacation’ and ‘A Christmas Story’ and now I get to be in one and I hope it stands the test of time and that every year people will sit down and watch this movie and enjoy it with the entire family.”

The difference between ‘Christmas Bounty’ and ‘Marine 3: Homefront’: “This movie, I showcase a little bit more of layers than in Marine 3. Marine 3 was all about action, fighting and drama; this one has a little bit of romance, which I think the ladies might appreciate but it also shows action and drama and it’s a lot more story-oriented and family-oriented and I think you’ll get to see the love the entire cast had for each other and the connection we all had and I think it’ll showcase onto the screen.”

What was it like having a love interest for the film in Francia Raisa: “Francia was terrific; you know, it was a different element to put into me because even in WWE, I never really had a love interest, so it was a whole new thing for me. I even had my first on-screen kiss which Francia loves to brag that I was her first, or that she was MY first, ever, on screen. It was fun though; we were doing the screening and I’m sitting there with my fiancée Maryse (Ouellet, former WWE Diva) and my fiancée’s mother and then Francia’s there and I told my fiancée about it; that I had a kissing scene just to warn her, and she watched it and said ‘That’s it? That’s all’ and I was like ‘Well, what did you want? 50 Shades of Gray?!’ I mean, come on, it’s ABC Family!”

He’s been a bounty hunter and marine; what other role would he like to play: “You know, whatever role WWE Studios brings out to me, I want it. I’ll take anything more or less. Not necessarily anything but anything that’s fun and anything I really think I can do and just enjoy myself. That’s what life is all about; enjoying yourself, having fun and as long as I have a great cast around me, a great director and a good story, then I’m all for it. I won’t mind playing Santa Claus, I wouldn’t mind playing in a Freddie Kruger movie where I get killed. That was my dream, by the way; as a kid, I always grew up watching Freddie Kruger and I always wanted to be killed by Freddie Kruger. I love horror flicks. I always wanted to be… I didn’t want to be the guy who killed, I wanted to be the hero who is supposed to win but then ends up not winning.”

Does he feel his recent character shift suits him better now: “I’ve found my niche; it’s called ‘being the Miz’ and whether people think it’s bad or good, it’s up to them. I’m not one of those people that harp on what people think, I think no matter what I’m going to entertain and people have said that there is a character switch happening and this, that and the other thing but I don’t see a character switch. I think it’s just the Miz making noise because he’s not getting the attention that he deserves and he’s not in the place he wants to be and so, he needs to switch it up and make some things happen.”

On his potential role with Wrestlemania XXX coming up soon: “Wrestlemania XXX tickets went on sale a couple weeks ago and did really, really well. I’m looking forward to WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans. I think it’s going to be a huge, huge event and I plan on being a major factor in it.”

His all-time favorite WrestleMania moment: “All time? I would have to be involved in it and I always say the main event of WrestleMania is always my most memorable moment. But my most memorable moment during that time, at WrestleMania 27, but there was a moment that nobody saw that I had with all my 10 best friends that were sitting front row. Those 10 guys would sit in my living room in 1998 and watch every WrestleMania, every Pay-Per-View, at my house. Those guys were sitting front-row during WrestleMania 27, when John Cena’s entrance is going on, and all the lights are on him and everyone is staring at him, I went over to my friends, showed them the title, looked at them and said ‘Guys, we did it!’ and they were just going nuts and going ecstatic. That’s my most memorable moment that I have, to this day.”

If he could choose a movie in which he could play a part in, what Christmas film would it be: “I would love to do ‘National Lampoons Christmas Vacation’; if I was a child, I would love to be in ‘A Christmas Story’; I think that would be amazing. I also enjoy ‘Elf’; I thought ‘Elf’ was incredible. I actually did a cameo in ‘The Campaign’ with Will Farrell and I have to say, I’ve met a lot of stars in being a WWE Superstar; we have a lot of stars that come into the WWE, but I got to talk to Will Farrell on set and what a terrific guy. Just absolutely above and beyond nice, made time for everyone on-set, talked to everyone; it wasn’t like he had to do it, he wanted to do it and it was just a wonderful experience. So, if I could do anything with Will Farrell, it would be absolutely fantastic again and if it could be a Christmas movie, so be it. Hey, I heard ‘Ghostbusters’ is opening up. Last time they did ‘Ghostbusters’, it was during the winter I believe, during the Christmas time. So, hey, I’m all for being Peter Venkman!”

What’s it like being part of the Christmas film legacy to him: “When they told me that I was going to do a Christmas movie, I mean I was giddy. I was like a 5-year-old kid again, coming downstairs, seeing all the presents under the Christmas tree. It just reminds me of all traditions I used to do as a kid and I’m hoping ‘Christmas Bounty’ becomes some family’s; I don’t care how many families, if it’s just one, that’s fine, but it could become a tradition for them. That ever year, they sit down and watch this movie and have a feel-good moment with all of them. So, hopefully, it has that.”

You can follow the Miz through his Twitter (@Mikethemiz) or through his Official WWE page (www.wwe.com/superstars/themiz) for all the latest news and notes. You can also see him starring in his new ABC Family film ‘Christmas Bounty’ as part of the ABC Family’s ‘25 Days of Christmas’ Tuesday November 26th at 7:00 pm ET/PT, check your local cable listings for channel availability and showtimes. Also, you can own ‘Christmas Bounty’ on DVD December 3rd; visit www.amazon.com or your favorite online or local retailer to order your copy.